Cognitive behavior therapy with culturally diverse older adults.

Abstract

Currently, one in every seven Americans is 65 years or older, and the population of older Americans continues to grow. It is predicted that by 2040, the proportion of older adults in the United States will grow to 21.7% of the general population (Administration on Aging, 2016). By 2030, 28% or 21.1 million of United States elders will be from ethnic minority cultures, representing a vast increase in the older ethnic minority population (Administration on Aging, 2016). In part, this latter growth is because of post-World War II legislation that enabled ethnic minorities to immigrate to the United States in record numbers many years ago (e.g., the War Bride Act, GI Fiancée's Act, Refugee Relief Act of 1953, and U.S. Refugee Act of 1980). Also adding to the increase has been the improved mortality of ethnic minorities living in the United States and an increase in the number of adult immigrants sponsoring aging parents to come to the United States and live with them.